Parents, Nn Officials Discuss Graduation Requirements

January 08, 2004|By ANGELA FOREST Daily Press

NEWPORT NEWS — Students with moderate to mild disabilities should receive tests that match their academic abilities in order to meet state and local graduation requirements, say parents speaking to Newport News schools officials on proposed graduation changes.

Cheryl Samuels said her daughter, Ashley Jones, has tried hard to pass the Standards of Learning tests while attending Woodside High School. She did not pass the state-mandated tests in social studies and science but received verified credits toward graduation for both subjects because she received a "C" in the courses and met other criteria, Samuels said Wednesday during a public hearing.

Unless she's tested in exactly the same manner in which she's taught, Ashley doesn't test well, her mother said. She added that students like her daughter should be given some leeway.

"Right now there's no (allowances) made for them," she said. "I think that's a bit much for special education students."

Under rules effective with this year's graduating class, students seeking a standard high school diploma in Virginia public schools must attain six verified credits by passing SOL tests in English, math, science, history/social studies and a student-selected subject. Students with disabilities who can't earn a standard diploma may seek a modified diploma, which requires them to pass SOL tests in English and math.

A Newport News schools committee has worked on revising local graduation requirements to confirm to the state guidelines. Four people spoke during Wednesday's public hearing.

Ashby Kilgore, assistant superintendent for instruction, said Samuels comments were valid and held by many people statewide. However, those graduation policies are set by the state, not local school divisions, she said. She suggested Samuels make her case to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly.

Belinda Jones, a government and sociology teacher at Menchville High School and Ashley's grandmother, said the students she teaches aren't disabled but instead are academically behind. Because many don't pass the SOLs the first time, they are retested in several subjects during a single school day, a process she called excessive.

Both Jones and parent Richard Mills said they disagreed with a committee recommendation to the school board that would keep students who fail to earn the necessary verified credits from participating in June graduation ceremonies.

The state allows local school divisions to decide whether students who don't pass may participate. Mills said the move will be perceived as "mean spirited" by students, will hurt the relationship between schools and the community and will act as a disincentive for students to keep trying to pass the SOLs after their formal education ends. The school division should delay any decision on graduation participation for a year to see what happens in other divisions, Mills said.

So far Hampton City and York County schools have said students who don't pass the SOLs will not be involved in graduation. Schools systems in Williamsburg/James City County and Gloucester have not finalized the issue. Officials in Poquoson City Schools will probably not make a decision, since no students currently fall into that category, said Judy McDowell, director of instruction.

Parents and students in Newport News have two more chances to speak on future graduation changes: on Jan 14 and before the school board's vote on Jan. 21.

Angela Forest can be reached at 247-7863 or by e-mail at aforest@dailypress.com